To Malaysian tribesmen, ebony is known as “penawar hitam,” or ‘black medicine.’ Rubbing a piece of ebony, or even ebony sawdust on a bite very quickly stops the itch. Ebony is also treasured for it’s magical and protective properties among many of the world’s traditional cultures. Even Wiccans hold ebony in high esteem in their magickal practices.

This beautiful parang was expertly crafted in the deep south of Malaysia (Johor) by a very talented parang maker. In the west, people tend to have very fixed criteria for what a parang should look like. In the Malay World, however, they vary dramatically in size and shape. Basically, any Malaysian working blade that is not sickle-shaped may be a parang.

The tukang parang (parang maker) who made these is now a personal friend and is a great guy I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with in the town he’s called home for most of his life. While he’s originally Javanese (Indonesian) and was born across the water in Singapore, he is without a doubt one of the most talented parang makers in the south of Malaysia, and he takes his work very, very seriously. His parangs have a uniquely historical flavor based on traditional Johor parang styling, which is not something you’ll find anywhere else!

The maker is very particular about only using the best wood and steel for his parangs. His wood is always flawless, and his parangs are almost always made with carefully selected German high speed steel, which when forged to shape and carefully differentially tempered, can take and hold an extremely keen edge for a long time.

This beautifully-crafted Johor-style parang features black and brown ebony heartwood with beautiful figuring. It is 12.4″ long with a 7″ blade. This parang is an absolute masterpiece, and a very capable working blade made with the greatest of care and the most suitable materials available to the craftsman.

The scabbard and handle were crafted from one piece of top grade Malaysian ebony. The way the scabbard was constructed, it is impossible for the parang to cut through the wood as is often the case with other Southeast Asian blades. The scabbard is almost entirely one piece, and is joined at the top of the scabbard with a strip of ebony. The craftsman’s work is so clean, I can’t even detect where the seam is. The wood is carefully hand sanded and shaped, and is even traditionally finished with a rough leaf from a local plant to really get the wood as smooth as possible before it is varnished for durability.

The style of the handle and scabbard are traditional to the Sultanate of Johor, and the quality of the maker’s craftsmanship is truly amazing.

The bolster is brass and is 0.8″ long. This is where your index finger would rest during use.

The balance point is right in front of the bolster, making this a light and easily maneuverable knife.

The blade was forged to shape from German high speed steel (from a saw blade), and then quenched and differentially tempered using the maker’s own secret process.This means the blade has a harder edge and a softer spine. The maker says these parangs are ideal for slaughtering animals, but their geometry and balance also make them excellent weapons for the silat practitioner, or anyone else who chooses to own or carry a knife for personal protection.

Please note the lighter brown ebony on this side of the handle and scabbard. There is a lighter streak in the handle. This is figuring (not a check or crack).

The blade is sharp, but not razor sharp, and has a recurve grind with a zero edge. There is a 4 15/16″ long unsharpened swedge along the top for easier penetration.

The blade is 1/8” thick and 1.18″ wide at its base. The handle is both beautiful and practical, and very comfortable in hand.

This parang is a modern masterpiece, and worthy of any collection of Southeast Asian blades. 5.2 oz, and 9.4 oz in the scabbard. $349.